Halverson's Encampment.
Burlington officials have successfully obtained a court order against a man who has been living in a tent on his property near downtown.
Curtis Halverson has been camping on a vacant lot he owns since mid-April, building a large tent complex at the bottom of a hill on 8th Street.
A judge yesterday in Des Moines County Court told Halverson he has a week to take the structure off of the property, or face a fine.
Last month, city officials cited Halverson for violating a city ordinance that requires temporary structures to be removed within 30 days, and gave him until May 22 to take down the tent.
Halverson says he’s been taking down his tent and camping by a river, and then returning to his property after about a week. But he says that he’s looking to stay on the property long-term, and ultimately build a permanent structure on the property. KBUR caught up with him Monday.
“I plan to build a basement and live in the basement until I can afford to build more, or there’s a guy in Farmington who builds historical [looking] cabins, and I could get on a payment plan and I’d like to get on his list for his next cabin,” Halverson said.
Burlington Development & Parks Director Eric Tysland says that the structure, as it currently stands, is a code violation.
“Based on the zoning code, it’s not an allowed use on the site.” Tysland told KBUR.
Halverson and Tysland both say that their interactions have so far been cordial. Halverson, who calls himself a deeply religious Christian man, calls himself a “Peacemaker” and says he bears no ill will towards the city.
“I come in peace…nobody has ever won an argument over being forceful or argumentative. I told them they have my full cooperation.” Halverson said, “Whatever it takes.”
Halverson has lived in the Burlington Area for over 25 years, but says he moved back to the area after a prison sentence was overturned in Colorado.
